Catholic teaching states that Mary was conceived without original sin and that she also remained sinless her entire life. The Catechism of the Catholic Church explains that “Mary benefited first of all and uniquely from Christ’s victory over sin: she was preserved from all stain of original sin and by a special grace of God committed no sin of any kind during her whole earthly life.” (CCC 411) The Church believes that because she was the mother of a sinless son, Mary was given the special privilege of being forever free from sin herself: “To become the mother of the Savior, Mary was ‘enriched by God with gifts appropriate to such a role.’” (CCC 490)…

Why is the Annunciation NOT a holy day of obligation? If you like this podcast, please donate to our holiday fund drive at bustedhalo.com/donate. Merry Christmas, everyone! 12-19-12.…

Ever wonder what the big deal is with Catholics and the Virgin Mary? Do they worship her or just pray to her? What’s the Annunciation? What’s the Immaculate Conception? What’s the Assumption? All these questions and more answered in this short two (okay, three) minute video.
You can download this video by right-clicking here and selecting “Save Link As…”…

What do other Christians believe about Mary (Baptists, Episcopalians, Lutherans, etc.)?

Christians believe that Mary was chosen by God to be the mother of Christ. In general, however, Mary plays a much less significant role in Protestant faiths than in Catholicism. In post-Reformation Europe, Protestants viewed Catholic devotion to Mary as excessive and non-Biblical. For many, that feeling has persisted over the centuries.

Though it’s hard to generalize, certain Catholic beliefs about Mary are rejected by most Protestants. These teachings include the Immaculate Conception (the belief that Mary was conceived without original sin), the Assumption, Mary’s perpetual virginity, and the role of…

Think you know what the Immaculate Conception is all about? Think again. Most people and even most Catholics tend to get this one wrong. Watch Fr. Jack Collins, CSP, hit the streets to talk to parents and their children about what is and what is not the Immaculate Conception.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church explains that the state known as original sin began with Adam and Eve, and has defined human nature ever since. “By his sin Adam, as the first man, lost the original holiness and justice he had received from God, not only for himself but for all human beings.” (CCC 416) The Church isn’t saying that original sin is genetic, rather that it’s an inevitable part of being human.
Jesus, of course, was an exception, and the Catholic Church teaches that Mary was as well. Knowing that she would consent to be the mother of Christ, God gave her the honor of being exempt from original sin. “The Most Blessed Virgin Mary was, from the first moment of her conception, by a singular grace and…

It’s an intern mutiny!  Fr. Dave is joined by Buzz and Catie fills in for Brittany for a question of faith about whether or not Mary had pain in child birth.  Church search goes to Florida.  07-28-10.…

Catholics differ from some Christian Churches which accept the Scripture as the only source of God’s revelation. Catholics have a strong belief in the truth of Scripture, but we also believe in tradition as a way in which God continues to reveal truth to us. Tradition can include beliefs, customs, prayers, and worship, the teaching of popes, bishops, theologians and Church councils. It’s our process of continually reflecting on the way in which the Word of God encounters our own experience as a community of faith.
Catholic understanding is that tradition includes the Scripture, and began before the gospels and letters were written. We do believe that Scripture is a unique revelation from God and…